80% of Heart Disease is Preventable

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This post is sponsored by our friends and partners, Prevea Health!
doctor holding heart; heart disease

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, and nearly one-half of all adults have some type of cardiovascular disease. But did you know that 80 percent of heart disease and stroke events may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education?

The term heart disease broadly refers to coronary artery disease (CAD), valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure. The most common type in the United States is CAD, which is the process by which cholesterol deposits build up in the arteries of the heart. This phenomenon can decrease blood flow to the heart and eventually cause a heart attack.

Risk Factors

Several health conditions, your lifestyle, your age, and family history can increase your risk for heart disease. These are called risk factors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about half of all Americans (47 percent) have at least one of the three key risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.

Some of the risk factors cannot be controlled, such as your age or family history, but many of them can be controlled, for example:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Unhealthy diet
  • Physical inactivity
  • Too much alcohol
  • Tobacco use

Taking steps to control these risk factors can decrease your risk of heart disease!

The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that an estimated 80 percent of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, are preventable. You can increase your heart health by making healthy choices and managing any health conditions you may have.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms vary depending on the type of heart disease. For example, the signs of a heart attack could be chest pain and losing consciousness, whereas the signs of heart failure could be shortness of breath and leg swelling. It is important to note that different people can have different symptoms. You should be aware of concerning signs and symptoms and know when to seek medical attention.

Prevention

By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar normal and lower your risk.

Here are a few preventative steps you can take:

  • Check cholesterol – Depending on your age, your health care provider should check your blood levels of cholesterol every 1-5 years.
  • Check and control blood pressure – High blood pressure can have no symptoms, so be sure to have it checked on a regular basis. Your health care team should measure your blood pressure at least once every two years if you have never had high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease. If you have high blood pressure, your health care team will discuss strategies to help monitor and improve blood pressure control.
  • Manage diabetes – Talk to your health care provider about symptoms of diabetes. Keeping your blood sugar under control will help reduce your risk of heart disease.
  • Take your medicine – If you take medication to prevent high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, follow your health care provider’s instructions carefully. To learn more about Prevea Heart Care and our physicians, visit us online at prevea.com/heart.
Dr. Supreeti Behuria, Prevea Health headshot
Supreeti Behuria, MD, FACC Cardiologist

About the author

“As a cardiologist, the best way I can serve my patients is by taking care of their hearts. 
It is important to me to get to know my patients and their family members. Together, we will work on improving their heart health, which includes healthy habits and having a healthy mind.”

Dr. Behuria is a Prevea Cardiologist specializing in women’s heart health. She sees patients in De Pere, Green Bay, and Shawano.  Appointments can be made online at Prevea.com or by calling (920) 272-1626.

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